Residents and Businesses Recycle Left-over Paint

The California Paint Stewardship Program handled more than 2.7 million gallons of post-consumer paint from July 2014 to June 2015, resulting in a total of more than 5.3 million gallons collected since October 2012. Most of the post-consumer paint was used as recycled-content paint or, in the case of oil-base paint, used for fuel, according to PaintCare. The group also recycled approximately 1,680 tons of plastic and metal paint cans.

PaintCare is a Washington-based non-profit organization, established as a California state-wide management program for leftover paint. With over 700 year-round drop off locations throughout the state, the program allows for residential and businesses to recycle leftover paint. Institutions with over 300 gallons of paint can arrange for a large-volume pick up. The program promotes using up leftover paint, and managing the paint in an environmentally sound manner for collection, transportation, processing, recycling and proper disposal.

There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare location. In addition to the California locations, there are also programs in Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with a DC program slated to open this year.